Page 118 of A Little Taste

“Oh.” Her voice goes quiet again. “My mom couldn’t take care of us anymore, so Aunt Carol asked if I wanted to come stay with her.”

“Us?”

“My little sister Jelena and me.”

Again, I’m not sure what to say. I’ve never known anybody who didn’t live with their parents. “I’m sorry.”

Her chin lifts, and she smiles. “It’s okay. Some people aren’t cut out to be parents, I guess. That’s what Carol said. As much as they try, they can’t get it together. Doesn’t mean she doesn’t love me. Or even that she doesn’t like me.”

My brow furrows, and I can’t tell if she’s pretending not to care or if she’s really okay with her situation.

“I can’t imagine anyone not liking you.”

She bends her leg, putting her foot on the log and resting her cheek on the top of her knee. Her eyes meet mine, and her smile is back. “You’re nice. Your dad’s the sheriff, right?”

“And his dad before him.” I study her small nose, turned up at the end.

“You’re starting tenth grade?” I nod, and she lifts her head. “I’m only in eighth, but maybe we can be friends.”

I don’t say anything, but my eyes drift to her full lips. I’ve never kissed a girl before, and I’m having all kinds of thoughts about things I’ve never done. I’ve never been on a date, never held a girl’s hand, never seen a girl naked… until now.

“Don’t you want to be friends?” Her voice is defiant, and I sit up straighter.

“Uh, sure… I guess.”Do I?

She stands up quickly, practically jogging in the direction of the forest, and I jump up fast to follow her.

“Where are you going?” I hop over rocks and sticks wishing I had my shoes.

She stops and turns so abruptly, we bump into each other, and I grab her arms to keep us both from falling.

Lifting her arms out of my grip, she shakes her head. “I guess you think you’re too good to be my friend. I guess you’re too awesome to hang out with a middle schooler.”

“I don’t think any of that!” My reply is loud, and I blurt what I was thinking. “I think you’re really pretty, and I thought I might like to kiss you.”

Her jaw drops, eyes blinking wider. Then her mouth closes and her brow lowers. “You spied on me naked, and now you want to kiss me? You’re bad.”

Am I? Maybe a little.“No! I think you’re nice, too, and… that’s all.”

She studies me a moment longer, her breath coming in quick pants from running. Before I can think, she steps forward, pressing her full lips to mine in a closed-mouth kiss.

My heart squeezes painfully. Her lips are so soft, and her small breasts press against my chest. Heat rushes from my stomach to my groin, and I lift my hands to pull her closer.

Before I can touch her, she’s gone, running at top speed to where a bike is parked by the path. She jumps on it and pedals away as fast as she can.

She leaves me hot all over, the water trickling behind me, and all I can think isfriendsis something I never want to be with Cassidy Dixon.

* * *

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